Typewriter type cleaner



Oct. 13, 1936. w. e. GIES 2,057,022

TYPEWRITERTYPE CLEANER Filed Feb'. 4, 1936 3mm WHLTEE 652,420 6/55,

Patented Oct. 13, 1936 PATENT OFFICE TYPEWBITEB TYPE CLEANER Walter Gerard cm, Waterbury, Md.

3Claims.

This invention refers to brushes and more particularly to a device for cleaning type on typewriters and the like. It has, among its objects to provide a cleaner for typewriter type that will I work eflectively; that will not injure the type by reason of the metal holding portion being eflectively covered by felt; that will have a number of surfaces for cleaning purposes that will serve to properly align and contact the type to be cleaned; that will use a material suitable for properly absorbing the cleaning fluid and enabling it to be applied without splashing or sprinkling to other parts of the typewriter and to the clothes or person of the user. Other objects are to have 18 the device easily attachable to the cork or stopper of the vessel in which the fluid for cleaning is contained, and without piercing a hole through such stopper; also to have the attachment formed for holding the brush arranged .to stiffen the brush and to prevent its rotating or moving out of position in use. All the parts of the device are arranged for replacement and changing, and for manufacture on a production basis, by reason of its simple and adaptable construction.

Cleaners for type on typewriters and the like usually consist of a brush of bristles which do not efiectively clean the type; which cause considerable splashing through the spring-back action of the bristles; and injury to the type because of the handle being comparatively large and limited and congested portions where the latter are situated.

In this invention, the device consists of a rectangular section of felt with its side surfaces fiat to make continuous and effective contact with the type. It is mounted on and clamped to a wire holder that centrally passes through it and extends angularly down to prevent rotation, as well as being bent to clamp and keep the end portion of the wire out of the way.

Th portion of the wire holder attachable to the stopper of the containing vessel, is preferably provided with a corkscrew end arranged to go into 5 the stopper and while holding securely, also prevents the wire from turning in use. This corkscrew also makes the wire more rigid than other methods, while at the same time, avoids the drilling of the stopper. which tends to'weaken the .50 stopper and make a loose connection for the holder; This device uses felt which absorbs and holds cleaning liquid and is soft enough to engage the type without injury and clean same efiectively. By reason of its squared and flat construction, it makes proper contact with all Application February 4, 1936, Serial No. 62,364

faces of the type, its sides and the various levers of the typewriter, making a cleansweep instead of a streaked and splashed appearance.

In the construction shown in the drawing, as an example of this invention;

Figure 1 is a sectional view through a brush embodying this invention, 1

Figure 2 is a front view of the device indicated in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a plan view from underneath showing the construction indicated'in Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a modified form of the holder construction for the device indicated in these figures.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

Inthe construction I represents a conventional stopper for a cleaning fluid bottle for typewriter type having a cap 2 and cork 3. A brush 4 consisting of felt or felt like material is cut prefer-. ably in the form shown in the .drawing, all the, sides being fiat and rectangular, as indicated at 5, 6, I, 8, 9, and H]. A wire holder consisting of a shank ll arranged in the form of a corkscrew is screwed into the cork 3 tightly and forms a substantial and rigid attachment for the holder. The stem l2 of the holder has a hook l3 with its arm l4 bent angularly as shown to bind more securely against removal and also to prevent rotation of the brush 4 on it. A clipping member I5 is formed at the end and serves to permit insertion through the felt and then be clipped inwardly out of the way to hold the brush tightly.

In the use of the device the face side 5 and rear side I are not used so frequently as the metal ,holder wire comes through same as indicated. The sides 6, I, 8, and 9 are generally used and are brushed across the surfaces, and not having metal exposed, serve to clean thoroughly. When the sides 6 and 'l are used, the lower halves oi the sides 5 and I serve to clean also in a sidewise manner as long as they are worn down. This three-side cleaning enables the face of the type to be cleaned as well as the sidesof the levers that hold same. The action of cleaning is without splashing and is more thorough than, with bristles, and it also .enables the cleaning fluid to be held in long and full contact with the type for loosening the dirt and ink to be removed.

While but one main form of this invention is shown in the drawing, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to the particular form shown, otherwise than limited by the prior art as it is appreciated that other forms of construction could be used that would employ the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

v 1. A typewriter type 'cleaner comprising a strip of absorbent material or the like formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shaped brush, relatively stiff and solid, with all side surfaces available for cleaning said type on the face and sides, a wire holder for said brush having an end portion of its shank extending partially along one side of the brush, then through the brush, and then reversely along the other side of the brush, the reversely bent part being bent towards the shank to compress the brush and embed adjacent parts of the shank therein, this provides a brush with three free cleaning sides.

2. A typewriter type cleaner comprising a strip of absorbent material or the like formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shaped brush of a form having its length substantially greater than its width and thickness, and with all but one side surface available for cleaning said type on the face and sldes,-a wire holder for said brush with a portion of its shank extendingpartially along one side of the brush, then through the brush, and then reversely along the other side of the brush, the reversely bent part being bent towards the shank to compress the brush and embed adj acent parts oi. the shank therein, this provides a brush with three free cleaning sides.

3. A typewriter type cleaner comprising a strip of absorbent material or the like formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shaped brush, relatively stlfi and solid, with all side surfaces available for cleaning said type on the face and sides, a holder for said brush having an end portion of its shank extending partially along one side of the brush, then through the brush, and then reversely along the other side of the brush, the reversely bent part being bent towards the shank to compress and hold the brush, this provides a shank embedded brush with plural cleaning sides.

WALTER GERARD CD38. 

